Anger as high school suspends 39 students over fight

Stuart Cumming
Reporter
Stuart studied journalism at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. He worked briefly at Central Queensland News and Warwick Daily News. He has worked as a reporter at The Chronicle since July 2009.

TOOWOOMBA dad Michael Davis is outraged his daughter is among a large number of Centenary Heights students who have been suspended for their involvement in a fight.

Mr Davis yesterday defied the suspension handed to his Year 9 daughter, who was one of 39 students the high school temporarily excluded after two Year 9 girls were caught fighting.

Education Queensland Darling Downs and South West regional director Greg Dickman said the vast majority of the students were suspended for two days for having prior knowledge of and witnessing the October 15 fight, while taking no action to stop it.

"Students involved in the fight and students who posted the fight to social media were also disciplined," Mr Dickman said.

He said violence and fighting were not tolerated at Centenary Heights State High School.

"I make no apology for principals taking a tough stance when the safety and wellbeing of students is compromised."

Mr Davis said his daughter was a friend of one of the girls involved in the fight.

He sent his daughter to school yesterday, despite it being the beginning of her two-day suspension.

"The school has also made no attempt to contact me."

He said the first confirmation he had of the suspension came when a letter was sent home on Tuesday afternoon.

"As a single parent, this has placed me in an untenable situation."

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He said his daughter had told him she thought prior talk of a fight would amount to nothing and it had not been scheduled.

"Whilst I understand the need of the school to deter bullying behaviour, it is entirely inappropriate that the victim of a bullying incident and a witness to a bullying incident should be punished alongside the bully."

Mr Dickman said the school worked closely with the community in developing its standards of student behaviour.

"Overall feedback from the school community has been supportive of a strong stance against inappropriate behaviour," Mr Dickman said.

"If parents have any questions or concerns, they are strongly encouraged to contact their principal to discuss them."